Tubular jack



C. SCHELLENGER TUBULAR JACK Filed Dec. 5, 1 9

,JO Z? 3g i -26 tvz/cfj wg Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

NEWTON C. SGHELLENGER, F ELKHABT, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO CHICAGO THESE IE'HONE SUPPLY CO., 013' ELKHART, INDIANA, A COBYORATION OF DELAWARE.

TUBULAR JACK.

Application filed December My invention relates to electrical ap aratus and more particularly to jacks of tu ular construction.

In recent times, especially during the advent and growth of the art of radio communication, there has been an increased demand for electrical apparatus simple in construc tion and yet eflicient in operation. It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a tubular jack characterized by its unusually high degree of simplicity, and yet being capable of performing the functions demanded of it eificientl The jac rs generally in use at the present time occupy considerable space when mounted, clue to the fact that their contact springs are usually disposed in a substantially horizontal plane. Now, obviously, especially in radio apparatus where compactness is highly desirable, a jack of relatively small dlmension,

and one which occupies relatively little space,

is in great demand.

I propose to provide a jack tubular in contour, having a minimum number of parts occupying relatively little space and being inexpensive, simple, compact and efficient in operation.

I also propose in accordance with the features of my invention, to provide a tubular mounting in the jack for receiving the tip and sleeve of a plug and capable of holding the same in a substantially fixed position, thus preventing side or lateral movement of the plug. Also, in order to reduce the size of the jack, I propose to dispose the contact ring or spring about the periphery of the tubular mounting through which the tip of the plug extends. Thus it is evident that the jack I have designed and invented will not project very far from the panel or other support in which it is mounted.

I also propose to provide means actuated by the insertion of the plug in the tubular mounting for bringing the contact springs together with a wiping action. This wiping action insures good contact between the springs of the 'ack. J A still further feature of my invention is the provision of means for causing the con- 1 tact springs to cut further into the tubular mounting to which they are attached when subjected to stresses tending to move them. This results in a highly eificient and simple mounting for the spring contact.

A stillturther feature of the present inven- 3, 1925. Serial No. 72,868.

tion is to provide improved means in a jack for tightly retaining the plug in position when inserted in the jack.

The object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an improved jack, tubular in shape, of relatively small size of a minimum number of parts and of a highly simple and inexpensive arrangement.

Other objects and advantages of the resent invention will more fully appear irom the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment thereof, and in which,-

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of my novel tubular jack attached to a fiber panel;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a plug adapted to to be inserted in my novel jack;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the fiber panel showing the manner in which my jack is fastened thereto;

Fig. 4 is a rear view of my novel jack and the panel to which it is attached;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, illustrating the tubular mounting with certain parts omitted and clearly showing the prong on the contact spring for cutting into the tubular mounting to maintain the spring in a fixed position;

Fig. 6 is a more or less perspective view of one of my novel contact springs employed in my jack; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of my other novel contact spring.

Referring now tothe drawings in detail, 'in which like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views, 10 denotes a panel or mountingwhich may be made of any suitable insulating material, such as fiber, as is well known in the radio art. Attached to this panel 10 is my novel jack of tubular construction, indicated generally by the reference character 11. The jack 11 is adapted to receive a tip 12 and a sleeve-13 of a standard lug 14. In addition to the tip 12 and the s eeve 13, the plug 14 comprises a fiber casing 15 in which the ter minal mechanism is disposed. Extending from the casing 15 are a pair of terminals 16 to which the ends of electrical conductors are attached.

My novel jack 11 includes a tubular member 18 equipped with a bore 19 for receiving the tip 12 and sleeve 13 of the plug 14. This stantiaily the same size as the countersunk portion 20 of the bore 19. I have indicated this aperture by the reference numeral 21. The aperture 21 is aligned with the bore 19 of the tubular member 18. A sleeve-like member or thimble 22 extends through the bore or aperture 21 and is threaded into the threaded countersunk portion 20 of the bore 19. The thimble 22 is equipped with a hexagonal. or polygonal head 23 for facilitating the mounting of it in position. The thimble 22 is also equipped with a bore 2" f the same diameter as the bore 19 and in alignment therewith. The outer end of the bore 24 is preferably beveled. as indicated at 25, in order to permit the plug to be inserted therein with facility. Disposed intermediate the head 23 of the thimble 22 are a pair of washers 26 and 27 for filling up the space separating the head of the thimble from the panel. 'viously, any number of washers may be employed, depending upon the thickness of the panel, as well as the thickness of the washers used. These washers serve to enable the thimble to be tightly screwed in position. The thimble 22 may be economically manufactored in large quantities from metallic rods, such as brass rods, on automatic screw machines. I preferahl make the thimble 22 of brass and then nic'el-plate the same to enhance its appearance. Now I shall procoed to describe in detail my novel contact spring mechanism. First, I desire it understood that although I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings two sets of contact springs, that the present invention is not to be in any way limited thereby, for it is of course evident that one or any number of sets of such springs may be used in connection with my novel jack without deviating from the features of the present invention.

One set of the contact sprin 5 shown, makes contact with the tip of the p ug inserted in the jack and the other set makes contact with the sleeve of the plug inserted in the jack. The terminals of the contact springs are arranged diametrically opposite each other upon the tubular member 18 in order to facilitate access thereto and to make it easier to connect the electrical conductors to the said terminals.

The jack that I have illustrated, is particularly adapted for use in connection with radio receivers. That is to say. upon the insertion of a. pluq therein, the loud speaker associated therewith is connected to the receiving set,

whereas, the loud speaker or other instrm ment normall connected to the receiving ins rument is uuttunutlcully disconnected therefrom. This will he more fully explained hereinafter.

Since both at springs are identical in comaruction with tllerxceptiou that they are mounted in opposite positions, it is believed that a description oi one set will suflice for both and that the same reference clmracters may be applied to similar parts in both sets. Each set of these springs comprises a pair of arcuate-shaped contact springs disposed about the periphery of the tubular member 18. One of these two springs is longer than the other and is indicated by the reference numeral 25. The shorter of the two springs is indicated by the reference numeral 26.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated in perspective the relatively large spring 25. It comprises a terminal 27 at one end and a contact point 28 at its other end. It also includes an aperture 29 to which a suitable screw 30 may be inserted. Disposed on opposite sides of the aperture 29 are a pair of prongs 31 and 32. lVhen the screw 30 is in place, it attaches the spring 25 to the tubular member 18. screw 30 is threaded into an aperture in the tubular member 1.8. Now, the other spring 26 has a terminal 34 and with acontact point 35 (Fig. 7). It is also equipped with an aperture 36 and a pair of prongs 37 and 38 for citing or cutting into the tubular member 18 in a similar manner as that'of the prongs 31 and 32 of the spring 25.

The large spring 25 and the small spring 26 are disposed about the tubular member in diametrically opposite positions. The spring 26 is attached to the tubular member by a screw 30 in a similar manner to the spring 25. The spring 26 being substantially smaller than the spring 25, has one end disposed under that of the spring 25 so that its contact 35 is disposed immediately under the contact 28 0f the other spring. Normally when 1 no plug is in the jack, contacts 28 and 35 are in engagement, closing the circuit existing between the terminals 27 and 34. \Vhat has been said with regard to the first set of springs, is also applicable to the other set of springs.

Associated with each set of springs is a small plunger-like pin 40 dis osed in an aperture 41 in the tubular mem er. One end of this plunger 40 normally projects into the bore 19 of the tubular member 18. The other end of the plunger is equipped with ahead 42 contacting with the larger spring 25. Upon the insertion of the plug therein, the plunger pins 41 are pushed outwardl moving the contact spring 25 away from tfi e smaller contact spring 26. This, as is obvious, breaks the circuit existing between the terminals 27 and 34. Also, the terminal 27 of one set of springs is connected to the tip 12 of the plug The noses-re lei, end the terminal :27 oi. the other set ot springs is connected to the sleeve 13 oi the plug, thereby connecting the circuit oi the plup to that associated with the jar i.

For sake of example, let us assume that normally, When no plug is disposed in the jack 11, it loud speaker is connected to the receiving set through the contacts 28 and bin p posing now it is desired to connect a pair of receivers, or rather :1 head set, to the receiving set and to disconnect the loud speaker thercironi. By inserting the plug in'the jack, the circuit of the loud speaker is automatically disconnected from the receiving set and the circuit of the head set is substituted therefor. This is believed to be obvious from the drawin and is Well known to those verso tile with t 8 art of radio communication. The contest springs may be, made of nickel silver to give them the requisite degree of resiliency or, on the other hand, they may be mode of nichel phited brass. The contacts 28 and may consist of any suitable and Well known contact metal, such for example,

' es s platinum alloy. The small lunger pins all. may be made of any suite is metallic materiel. The screws 30 and 30 are preferzibly made or nioltebplhted brass.

Now, upon the insertion of s plug inthe inch 11, the contscts 28 are slid out of en gsgement with the contacts 35. Upon the removul of the plug, the springs 25 spring buclt toward the to ular member, bringing the cont-sets 28 into at Wiping engagement with the contacts 35, thereby insuring good contact between the two springs. That is to say, due to the foot that one end of the spring till 25 is secured to the tubular member, the other end, in springing back to place, must, of necessity, slide over at certain part of the other end of the spring 26 associated therewith. This results in the contact 28 being brought into "Wiping engagement with the contacts 35. It is evident that should there be ziny foreign substance on the contacts, the some will be readily rubbed ed by the store sold wiping notion.

Also, in moving the spring 25 away from the tubular member 18 through the medium of the pin il, there is'u tendency for the spring to move or, rather, turn about the tubular member, due to the force exerted upon them by the pin 41. I propose to counteract this action by means of the prongs on the spring. This is true of both the springs 25 end Eli. lily tightening the screw associated With the. spring tightly in place, the prongs of the spring are caused tobite or out into the fiber of the tubular member 18. Now, obviously, any movement on the port of the spring'will cause these prongs to bite or out all the further into the fiber base or tube member, thus completely preventing the 1 spring from moving or turning.

flu

From the foregoing description, it will be seen thet my jack is of a minimum number or parts and may be assembled or disassembled with facility. llloreow" iuy novel jack is relatively compact and occupies much less space than similar jacks heretofore.

Then, too, the tubular member 18, through the medium of the bore 19, tends to maintnin the plug rigidly in place, once it is inserted therein. The tension of the plug within the bore 19 is augmented by the pins 41 which engage the tip 12 and sleeve 13, rcspectively, of the plug. These pins exert a binding action upon the plug and in order to remove the plug from the jack 11, one must exert some force. That is to say, the plug will not of its own accord, fall out of the jack.

til)

In order to remove it from the jack, it must be pulled therefrom.

preferred embodiment of my invention, it is of course to be understood that my invention is not to be limited by this disclosure, but only in so for as defined by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim: 1. In combination in a. jock, a. cylindrical tubular member and a plurality of curved contact springs disposed about the periphery of the said member and engaging each other. 2. In combination in a. jack for receiving a plug, an annular member and contact springs disposed about the .arcuate periphery of the said member'and engaging each other.

3. Tn a jack, a. tubular member, on iii-ousteshaped contact spring having a fastening prong for fastening said spring to said member. r

. 4. In a. 'j'aclr, an urcuute shaped contact spring having an aperture for the insertion of fastening means therein, and a. pair of iesllti till

fastening the said spring to the member,

thesuid Contact spring buying :1 fastening prong for cutting into the member to more firmly secure the spring; thereto, said prong being arranged to out further into the member upon the imposition of stresses on the spring tending to loosen the fastening means.

l. in. combination, in ii jack, a' tubular member adapted to receive ii plug, on srcuste shoped spring disposed on o port1on of the periphery of the member, and a. second arouate shsped spring disposed on another portion of the periphery 01' the member, one of said springs overlapping the oth r to make electrical contact therewith.

8. In combination in a jack, a tubular member adapted to receive a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, a second spring disposed on another portion of the peri hery of the member, one of said springs over upping the other to make electrical contact therewith, and means for fastening the springs to the member, each .tubular member, a spring of said. springs having a pron for cutting into the member to augment the fastening of the spring thereto.

9. In combination in a jack, a cylindrical disposed on a portion of the curved perip ery of the member, a second spring disposed on another portion of the curved periphery of the member, one of said springs overlappin'g'the other to make electrical contact therewith, and means disposed in the wall of the tubular member for movin one of the springs out of contact with the ot er when a plug is inserted in said tubular member.

.10. In combination in a jack, a tubular member, a curved spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, a second curved spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, one of said springs overlapping the other to make electrical cont-act therewith, means for fastening the springs to the member, and means engageable by a plug and mounted in the wall ofthe tubular member for breaking the electrical contact between the springs.

11.'In combination in a jack, a tubular member for receiving a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of theperiphery of the member, a second spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, one of said springs overlapping the other to make electrical contact therewith, and plunger means mounted in the tubular member ada ted to be actuated upon the insertion o a plug in the member to break the electrical contact between the springs.

12. In combination in a jack, a tubula member for receiving a plug, a spring dis- .ber adapted upon the insertion of the plug therein to move one of the springs out of contact with the other to break the electrical connection therebetween.

13. Incombination in a jack, a tubularmember for receiving a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the.

memberfa second spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, said springs normally contacting each other to establish an electrical connection, said springs each having a terminal portion for enabling the attachment of an electrical conductor thereto, and a plunger mounted in the tubular the other to break the electrical connection therebetween.

14. In combination in a jack, a tubular member, a curved spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, a second curved spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, each of said springs having one .end formed into a terminal and having a contact point attached to the other'end, one of said springs overlapping the other to cause its contact point to engage that of the other spring, and means for fastening the springs to the member adjacent their terminal.

.15. In combination in a jack, a tubular member for receiving a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, and a second spring disposed on another fportion of the peri hery of the member,-

one 0 said springs over apping the other to make electrical contact therewith, the said springs being mounted to the member in such a manner as to be engageable and disengageable with a wiping contact.

16. In combination in a jack, a tubular member for receiving a plugpa spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, a second spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, one of said springs overlapping the other to make electrica contact therewith, the said springs being mounted to the member in such a manner as to be enga-geable and disengageable with a wiping contact, and means mounted in the tubular member operable by the insertion of a plug therein to move one of the said springs out of engagement with the other spring with a wiping contact.

17. In combination in a jack, a tubular member for receiving a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, a second spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, one of said springs overlapping the other to normally make electrical contact therewith, means for fastening the'springs to the member in such a manner that the overlapping spring will be at all times due to its own resiliency urged toward the overlapped spring, the said springs being mounted to the member in sue a manner as to be engageable and 'disengageable with a wiping contact, and means associated with the tubular member for holding the overlapping spring out of engagement with the other spring.

18. In combination with a mounting, a jack comprising a tubular member, a thimtubular member.

bar for attaching-it to the mounting, and

contact mechanism mounted wholly on the periphery of the said tubular member.

19. In combination. in a jack, a tubular member for receiving a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member, a second spring disposed on another portion of the periphery of the member, said springs being normally in engagement to establish an electrical connection, and means mounted in the tubular member adapted upon the insertion of a plug in the tubular member to break the electrical connection between the springs and to retain the plug within the 20. In combination in a jack, a tubular member for receiving a plug, a spring disposed on a portion of the periphery of the member,.a second spring disposed on another portion of the peri hery of the member, one

of said springs over apping the other to make electrical contact therewith, said s rings being normally in engagement, an plun er means mounted in the said tubular mem er adapted upon the insertion of a plug in the" tubular supporting member of insulating material adapted to receive a plu and a plurality of contact springs mounte thereon.

22. In combination 1n a jack an annular tubular supporting member of fiberimpregnated with a moisture resisting substance adapted to receive a plug, and contact springs disposed about the periphery of the said member. In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of November, 1925. JTEWTON G. SCI-IELLENGEB. 

